Transmission Cooler - No Tow Package

Hello All,

I have scoured the forums to get good info about adding a transmission cooler to my 2016 SR Tacoma, no tow package, V6 engine. I am hoping to purchase a Scamp 19 (5th wheel) dry weight is around 2400lbs. I see a lot of info on Tru-cool 4454 but am having a hard time finding this model with install kit. Looking at the Derale Series 8000 plate-fin model. This will be my only transmission cooler other than what I assume is the factory combo cooler with the radiator. Thoughts on the Derale 8000? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

Starting in the middle of the 2020 model, Toyota deleted the transmission cooler and left the cooling all up to the radiator combo cooler. The radiator for automatic transmissions has not changed from 2016 to 2023, so I suppose it must be up to the job. I'd try out towing without adding a cooler and see how it goes, then maybe look into adding one if you really need to.

If I had an auto and wanted to add an extra one, I'd probably try to find the factory 2016-2020.5 parts and add in my own factory cooler.

 

Can you even pull a 5th wheel with a Tacoma? The 2400 lb weight isn't a problem, but the plastic bed might be a no-go. And even the 6' bed might be a little too short.

 

It is possible with the scamp. It requires some modifications for the hitch but I am working that out separately!

 

Does the 2016 have a trans temp readout on the dash?

 

On my 2014 I can get trans temp with a Scangauge II

 

No specific transmission temp on the dash. We did tow a pop up camper last summer from Michigan to New Mexico. Our AC blew up and needed to be replaced. Not sure one has to do with the other but the fact that we live in the desert is motivation for adding specific transmission cooler for towing a camper.

 

I added an engineered crossmember to my old F150 (under the bed) - and then installed a "hidden" 2-1/4 hitch ball that was both super strong and easily removed. We modified the trailer fifth wheel by converting it to the agricultural gooseneck stem. Tubes and sockets are available for this. Eliminated a ton of hitch weight the truck must carry - and importantly - the ball will hitch and unhitch easily, even when the trailer and truck are grossly inclined to one another. Big problem for conventional 5th wheel outfits. Made it possible to use unimproved USFS campgrounds deep in the mountains - where it was tough to get everything on the same plane to connect. Lots of scrap lumber and flat rocks required. Before I made the change this was a huge PITA.

When the truck was being used as a DD and other light truck stuff, it took minutes to stow the ball and leave a flat bed floor. I fitted the forward area ahead of the ball with a tool box that only came up flush with the bed sides.

Add a Hayden trans cooler to it and don't look back.

 

I'd get a ScanGauge or UltraGauge (my preference) to see how hot the trans and engine are actually getting and go from there. One thing I noticed on my 2010 is the engine temp on the dash is useless, the needle stay firmly in the middle from 140F to 200+ (never had it over 200F)

 

It is my understanding that these trucks don't actually have a sending unit for the trans temp and it is mathematically determined based off a few other parameters. Essentially, whatever digital gauge of your preference is only guessing what the trans temp is based off coolant temp/load/throttle demand/air temp. I could be wrong but remember seeing a detailed thread a couple years ago on here.

 

Thanks for the hitch info! This is the plan for the 5th wheel ball hitch. I think it can be done, like most things, just requires modification.

 

My ultragauge give me both pan and torque converter temps. If you find the thread, id be interested to read it.

 

Check out this TW thread if you have not seen it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-transmission-cooler-upgrade.482280/

 

It was in here...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eters-when-towing.707473/page-3#post-27593021

 

Thank you TA2016, the Hayden can only be used in addition to the factory cooler from what I read. It can not be used as a full replacement or initial install.

 

This thread seems more focused on adding a cooler if your Tacoma did not come with one.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-toyotas-write-up-with-many-pictures.526283/

 

Pretty sure thats engine oil temp. They have them for the trans.

 

Let’s see this 5th wheel Scamp! I think I’ve seen one behind a 1st gen Tacoma and it looked WAY overloaded. I stayed very far away as we were in the mountains and I didn’t trust it would handle the downhill from the pass very well.

 

here it is! A 1st Gen would scare me a bit too!

 

This is a decent write up on a Tacoma and a 19’ Scamp. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/modified-gooseneck-19-scamp.223474/